The code applies to the transportation of commercial and non-commercial livestock by road, rail, and to livestock transport vehicles aboard a ship.

The transport process begins when livestock are assembled prior to loading, and ends when the livestock are unloaded at the final destination.

Responsibilities outlined in the code apply to everyone involved in the care and management of livestock during the transport process, including:

owners

agents

drivers

transport companies

livestock

handlers at farming enterprises

depots

saleyards

feedlots

livestock processing plants.

Key features of the code

Chain of responsibility

The chain of responsibility throughout the transport process is covered in the code. This includes the person supplying the livestock for transport, the transporter and the person receiving the livestock at their final destination.

Livestock selection and fitness

Only livestock that are fit for the intended journey must be presented or loaded for transport. Livestock are not fit for the intended journey if they:

are unable to walk bearing weight on all legs

are heavily pregnant

gave birth within 72 hours prior to loading

are severely emaciated

are visibly dehydrated

are severely distressed or injured

are suffering a condition that is likely to increase pain or distress during the transport process

Water access for livestock

The code sets a maximum number of hours that livestock may go without water during the transport process. As soon as livestock have reached their maximum time they must be spelled and given water, food and the opportunity to rest.

The maximum time off water and minimum spell period varies with the species, age and reproductive status of the livestock.

Click on an animal name from the list below to see their maximum time off water and minimum spell durations:

Alpacas

Class of alpaca

Maximum time off water (hours)

Minimum spell duration (hours)

Alpacas known or visually assessed to be less than 33 weeks pregnant

8

8

Alpacas known or visually assessed to be between 33 and 43 weeks pregnant (inclusive)

4

4

Alpacas known or visually assessed to be more than 43 weeks pregnant

4

24

Lactating alpacas travelling with dependent young less than 6 months of age

4

4

Alpacas less than 6 months old

4

4

Alpacas between 6 and 12 months old (inclusive)

8

8

Any other alpaca

24

24

Buffalo

Class of buffalo

Maximum time off water (hours)

Minimum spell duration (hours)

Buffalo known or visually assessed to be between 28 and 43 weeks pregnant (inclusive)

24

12

Buffalo known or visually assessed to be more than 43 weeks pregnant

4

24

Lactating buffalo travelling with dependent young

24

12

Buffalo less than 6 months old

24

12

Any other buffalo

36

24

Camels

Class of camel

Maximum time off water (hours)

Minimum spell duration (hours)

Camels known or visually assessed to be between 36 and 53 weeks pregnant (inclusive)

24

12

Camels known or visually assessed to be more than 53 weeks pregnant

4

36

Lactating camels travelling with dependent young

24

12

Camels less than 6 months old

24

12

Any other camel

48

36

Cattle

Class of cattle

Maximum time off water (hours)

Minimum spell duration (hours)

Cattle known or visually assessed to be between 24 and 37 weeks pregnant (inclusive)

24

12

Cattle known or visually assessed to be more than 37 weeks pregnant

4

24

Lactating cattle travelling with dependent young

24

12

Cattle more than 30 days old but less than 6 months old

24

12

Any other cattle

48

36

Deer

Class of deer

Maximum time off water (hours)

Minimum spell duration (hours)

Deer known or visually assessed to be between 20 and 30 weeks pregnant (inclusive)

24

12

Deer known or visually assessed to be more than 30 weeks pregnant

4

24

Lactating deer travelling with dependent young

24

12

Weaned deer less than 6 months old

28

12

Any other deer

48

36

Emus and ostriches

Class of emus and ostriches

Maximum time off water (hours)

Minimum spell duration (hours)

Emus or ostriches between 5 and 90 days old (inclusive)

24

12

Emus or ostriches more than 90 days old

36

24

Goats

Class of goat

Maximum time off water (hours)

Minimum spell duration (hours)

Goats known or visually assessed to be between 14 and 19 weeks pregnant (inclusive)

24

12

Goats known or visually assessed to be more than 19 weeks pregnant

4

12

Lactating goats travelling with dependent young

28

12

Goats less than 6 months old

28

12

Any other goat

48

36

Horses

Class of horse

Maximum time off water (hours)

Minimum spell duration (hours)

Horses known or visually assessed to be between 30 and 43 weeks pregnant (inclusive)

12

12

Horses known or visually assessed to be more than 43 weeks pregnant

4

24

Lactating horses travelling with dependent young

12

12

Horses less than 6 months old

12

12

Any other horse

24

12

Pigs

Class of pig

Maximum time off water (hours)

Minimum spell duration (hours)

Pigs known or visually assessed to be more than 14 weeks pregnant

4

24

Lactating pigs travelling with dependent young

12

12

Weaned pigs less than 30kg

12

12

Any other pig

24

12

Poultry

Class of poultry

Maximum time off water (hours)

Minimum spell duration (hours)

Chicks

72

72

Poultry other than chicks

24

24

Sheep

Class of sheep

Maximum time off water (hours)

Minimum spell duration (hours)

Sheep known or visually assessed to be between 14 and 19 weeks pregnant (inclusive)

24

12

Sheep known or visually assessed to be more than 19 weeks pregnant

4

24

Lactating sheep travelling with dependent young

28

12

Sheep less than 4 months old

28

12

Any other sheep

48

36

Handling livestock

Anyone handling livestock during the transport process must minimise stress to the animal.